January 12: A youth from Pyuthan district, who was serving the Russian Army, has reportedly died in the Russia-Ukraine war.

The deceased has been identified as Sonu Sunar of Kathebar of Pyuthan Municipality-4.

According to the state news agency RSS, Sunar’s friend, who was injured in the war, informed the family back home about the tragic news.      

Sunar, who was working in Qatar for two years, had left for Russia some months ago.    

Khageshwar Thapa, a neighbour of the deceased Sunar, confirmed to RSS that another Nepali youth who sustained injuries in the war informed Sunar's family about the latter's passing away in Russia.    

The Mayor of Pyuthan Municipality, Bishnu Yogi, said that the folks in Pyuthan have been saddened by the news of the demise of Sunar and added that further details would be provided to the Sunar family on Friday.    

Meanwhile, Thapa said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been informed about the incident.    

This puts the death toll of Nepalis serving in the Russian army at 11 although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has so far confirmed only ten casualties.

According to the ministry, those killed in the war have been identified as Sandeep Thapaliya of Gorkha, Rupak Karki of Kapilvastu, Dewan Rai of Pokhara, Pritam Karki of Syangja, Raj Kumar Roka of Dolakha, Gangaraj Moktan, Kundan Singh Nagal of Ilam district,  Hari Prasad Aryal of Syangja district, Bharat Bahadur Shah of Kailali and Raj Kumar Giri of Dhading.    

The Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) recently decided not to issue work permits to Nepali nationals aspiring to work in war-torn Russia and Ukraine.   

The government body took such measure as increasing number of Nepali nationals were found to have joined the Russian army illegally.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly urged Russia not to recruit Nepali citizens in its military rank and file and to send back any Nepali citizen who is currently serving in the army.  The ministry has also sought information from Russia about the number of Nepalis who have joined the Russian Army, in addition to the injured ones and their condition.   

Earlier on August 1, the government issued a notice stating that the government has no policy of approving the recruitment of any Nepali citizens in foreign military forces expect in the national army of a few friendly nations in accordance with the long-standing agreement.  

The Foreign Ministry has also urged all Nepalis to compulsorily receive no objection certificates (NOC) from the Nepali embassies and consulates in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Saudi Arab, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain if they are traveling to Russia via those countries. Earlier, the NOC was issued only from Consular Service Department under the Foreign Ministry for those going to Russia for other reasons except for government assignment, study purpose in Russian scholarship and businesses.    

The ministry has also urged Nepalis not to get recruited in the military service of the war-ravaged nations on the basis of false information or other's temptation.